Furniture unit

ABSTRACT

Furniture units are disclosed including an integral frame having upper and lower portions, the upper portion defining cushioned sidearms and backrest, and the lower portion defining a rectangular box with upper and lower peripheral areas including anchor hooks disposed therealong. A unitary fabric covering covers the entire backrest and sidearms and is held in place under tension by resilient straps coupling the anchor hooks and marginal portions of the covering adjacent the hooks. A removable, resilient seat cushion platform is supported by slats fixed within the rectangular box portion of the frame. In one embodiment, the seat support structure has an extendible mattress frame.

U United States Patent [151 3,653,712 Sarvas 1 Apr. 4, 1972 54] FURNITURE UNIT 2,086,640 7/1937 Reynolds ..297/218 3 101 218 8/1963 Baermann.. ....297/248 [72] Inventor: Maynard C. Sarvas, 4773 Dogwood, Seal Beach Calm 90740 3,104,913 9/1963 Fau1kner.... ..297/218 [22] Filed: May 18, 1970 Primary Examiner-Francis K. Zugel Appl. No.: 38,352

Attorney-Fraser and Bogucki [57] ABSTRACT Furniture units are disclosed including an integral frame having upper and lower portions, the upper portion defining cushioned sidearms and backrest, and the lower portion defining a rectangular box with upper and lower peripheral areas including anchor hooks disposed therealong. A unitary fabric covering covers the entire backrest and sidearms and is held in place under tension by resilient straps coupling the anchor hooks and marginal portions of the covering adjacent the hooks. A removable, resilient seat cushion platform is supported by slats fixed within the rectangular box portion of the frame.

In one embodiment, the seat support structure has an extendible mattress frame.

9 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTED R 4 I973 II o o o o o r o FIG.

llllllllllll INVENTOR.

MAYNARD C. SARVAS ATTORNEYS FURNITURE UNIT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to furniture and particularly to furniture having an upholstery cover that is readily removed or replaced.

2. Description of the Prior Art Existing furniture is generally constructed with a frame forming a backrest, armrests and a seat. Cushioning material is associated with the various sections of the frame either fixedly or loosely with cushions frequently separately disposed upon the seat portion of the frame. An upholstery covering is secured to the frame and the frame cushioning usually by means of tacks or similar fixed connections.

In manufacturing or reupholstering such conventional furniture, the use of skilled craftsmen is required to obtain a fumiture unit having a taut, smooth, finished appearance. Maintenance of such conventional upholstery coverings usually requires appreciable expense and effort. For example, when a covering is cleaned, it must either be detached or left on the furniture and cleaned in place. The first operation requires the services of a skilled upholsterer; the second operation is often expensive and inconvenient. In attempts to obviate these inconveniences, slip covers are sometimes placed over the existing upholstery covering. However, these covers are ordinarily loosely associated with the upholstery covering and result in a furniture unit having an undesirably casual appearance.

Removable and replaceable upholstery coverings for furniture are shown and described in US. Pat. Nos. 3,188,137 and 3,31 1,418, both issued to the present inventor. The constructions shown and described therein provide advantageous arrangements for constructing furniture units in which the coverings, typically fabric but alternatively of other materials, have the appearance and wearing qualities of regular upholstered fabric, but are constructed so that the cover may be readily detached for replacement or cleaning. In the constructions shown in these patents, a separate upholstery covering is employed for the seat and back portions, the sidearms being concealed by any of a variety of detachable covering arrangements.

It is desirable for a number of different types of constructions to have a single cover for the principal body of the furniture unit, that is, both the backrest and sidearm portions. A single cover has significant cost advantages for particular furniture styles and is especially useful where the entire frame of the furniture piece is manufactured as an integral unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one form of the present invention, an article of furniture is provided having a unitary frame structure defined by a lower, rectangular box portion and an upper portion forming a backrest and sidearms which will typically be padded with polyurethane foam or similar material. The lower, rectangular box portion comprises front, back and side members and a seat support structure consisting of a plurality of fixed slats extending between and attached to the front and back members. A resilient, removable seat cushion platform rests on the seat support slats.

The lower, rectangular box portion includes upper and lower peripheral areas with anchor means, such as hooks, spaced along these areas.

A single or unitary upholstery covering of fabric or the like, having backrest and sidearm-receiving portions conforming closely to the corresponding portions of the frame structure and having margins adjacent the anchor means, covers the unitary frame. The margins of the covering and the anchor means are joined by resilient straps to hold the covering in place under tension.

Seat cushions are disposed on the resilient seat cushion platform.

In another embodiment, an extendible mattress frame serves as the seat support structure and a mattress may be placed thereon to form a sofabed. The mattress may also be retained on the mattress frame when the frame is retracted to the seating area to provide additional cushioning and support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A better understanding of the invention and further objects, features and embodiments thereof may be had by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective, exploded view of a sofa in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the underside of the sofa of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a transverse cross sectional view of the sofa of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a fragment of an upholstery covering for use with the sofa of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a chair in accordance with an alternative form of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the chair of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of a convertible sofa in accordance with another form of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIGS. 14, a sofa in accordance with the invention is shown and includes a unitary frame structure 10 of wood, or the like, and having a lower, generally rectangular box portion 12 defined by a front member 12a, side members 12b, 12c and back member 12d below a seating plane 13. An upper frame portion, some of the internal structure of which is not shown, defines sidearms 14a, 14b and backrest 15 above the seating plane 13 and is connected to the lower rectangular box frame portion 12 by upstanding and generally vertical members (not shown) disposed at the corners of the frame structure 10. Upholstery cover anchor hooks 11 are spaced along both the upper and lower peripheral regions of the frame structure 10.

The backrest 15 of the frame includes slightly rearwardly inclined risers 16 upon which flat plywood or other composition sheets 17 are fastened.

The frame 10 further includes a seat support structure comprising vertically oriented slats 18 fastened to the front frame member 12a and the risers 16.

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, a foam padding 19 of polyurethane or the like is placed over the entire sofa frame thereby forming a cushioned backrest and arms. Although the cushioning or padding 19 may be secured to the frame in individual sections such as the arm, backrest and front portions, the padding sections may thereafter be stitched, tacked or otherwise joined at the seams.

A removable, single or unitary cover 20 fits over the entire frame 10 and padding 19. The cover 20 includes lower margins 21 having projecting, elastic loops or bands 22 coupled to the anchor hooks 11 along the lower periphery of the frame box portion 12. The elastic bands 22 may be sewn directly to the margins 21 or secured to the margins 21 through eyelets spaced along the margins. The elastic bands 22 provide overall tensioning of the cover 20 thereby assuring that the cover remains taut throughout its use. It will be appreciated that other elastic means may be used such as elastic strips attached to the margins 21, which strips carry the female parts of snap fasteners. The male snap fastener parts may be secured along the upper and lower peripheral areas of the lower rectangular box member 12 in place of the anchor hooks 1 1.

To facilitate installation, the cover 20 may have a zipper 24 along one of its rear edges. Alternatively, Velcro tape or similar joining means may be used.

The cover 20 also includes upper margins 210 which lie approximately in the seating plane 13. Elastic loops or bands 22a project from the margins 21a and are connected to anchor hooks 11a disposed along the upper peripheral region of the rectangular box portion 12. Elastic bands 22a may be identical to bands 22 and similarly attached. It will be observed that the anchor hooks 110 are attached to the inside surfaces of the frame portion 12 so that the margins 21a and the elastic bands 22a are concealed by the seat cushions.

The front member 12a of the lower box frame 12 may or may not be covered, but instead be exposed, where, for example, it is desired for the furniture units to have an appearance of Spanish, Italian, or Provincial period furniture. Thus, the front surface of the member 12a may be carved or the wood finished to give the desired appearance.

Although the seat support slats 18 are shown in the drawings as extending from front to back within the frame 12, it will be appreciated that they may extend between the sides 12b and 12c. The slats 18 carry a seat cushion platform 32 which includes a frame 33 and springs 34 and may be provided with a spring-concealing cover (not shown) of fabric or the like. Platform 32 is removable and simply rests upon the slats 18. Seat cushions 30, which are also covered with a fabric of the same design and type as that of the upholstery cover 20, lie upon the spring platform 32 thereby not only concealing the platform but in addition concealing the cover margins 21a and the elastic bands 22a.

When it is desired to remove the cover 20 for cleaning purposes the cushions are simply removed and the platform 32 lifted out thereby exposing the cover margins 21a and the elastic bands 22a. The elastic bands 22a are then disengaged from their hooks as are the bands 22 along the lower periphery of the box frame 12. Where a zipper or Velcro tape 24 is used on the cover 20, it is opened and the cover then removed exposing the entire cushioned frame 10.

Another embodiment of the invention, in the form of an easy chair 48 utilizing a single or unitary cover as disclosed previously herein, is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The chair 48 includes backrest cushion 50, seat cushion 52 and the seat support structure includes coil springs 54. With such a unit, frame members such as previously described in connection with the sofa unit are also utilized including the elastic cover tensioning means. However, a separate seat cushion platform, such as the platform 32 previously described, need not be used in such a construction.

An alternative to the seat support arrangement described hereinabove is shown in FIG. 7 in which an extendible mattress frame 60 is utilized. The frame 60 is attached to the furniture unit frame 12' by suitable mounting and pivot means and when folded into the furniture unit forms the seat support structure itself. With this arrangement the seat cushion platform (such as platform 32 already described) need not be utilized but instead, a mattress is placed upon the mattress frame 60. Thus, when the extendible frame 60 is folded into the furniture unit the mattress and frame themselves form the seat support structure upon which cushions may be directly placed. The mattress frame generally includes springs and other members and features well understood by those skilled in the art and not described specifically herein.

Accordingly, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the wide variety of frame constructions, overall furniture constructions and materials including designs which are of Spanish, Italian, or French Provincial appearance and the like may be employed in accordance with the invention. In addition, leathers and synthetic materials such as plastics may be also utilized for the unitary cover means although fabric will be generally preferred in most instances.

What is claimed is:

1. An article of furniture comprising:

a frame including a lower, open rectangular box portion having upper and lower peripheral areas and an upper portion, said lower portion including front, back and side members and a plurality of seat support slats extending between said front and back frame members and affixed thereto, said upper portion defining a backrest and sidearms;

a resilient, removable seat cushion platform carried by said seat support slats and defining a seat support plane;

anchor means disposed linearly along said upper and lower peripheral areas in spaced apart planes;

unitary furniture cover means having backrest and sidearmreceiving portions and having margins adjacent said anchor means;

connection means joining said margins and the anchor means; and

seat cushions disposed on said seat cushion platform.

2. An article of furniture, as defined in claim 1, in which:

said anchor means comprise hooks; and

said connection means comprise elastic bands coupled to said hooks to maintain said cover under tension.

3. An article of furniture, as defined in claim 1, in which:

said anchor means along said upper peripheral area are disposed below said seat support plane around the interior of said frame and face inwardly so as to conceal said upper anchor means and said anchor means along said lower peripheral area are disposed around the bottom of said frame so as to conceal said lower anchor means.

4. An article of furniture comprising:

an integral frame structure defining a lower frame portion, a backrest, sidearms and a seat support means within said lower frame portion, said lower frame portion having upper and lower peripheral areas;

anchor means disposed substantially linearly along both said upper and lower peripheral areas in spaced apart planes; and

a removable, unitary upholstery cover covering said integral frame structure, said cover shaped to conform closely to said structure and having an outer, lower margin coupled to said anchor means disposed along said lower peripheral area and an inner, upper margin coupled to said anchor means disposed along said upper peripheral area.

5. An article of furniture, as defined in claim 4, in which:

said seat support means includes a collapsible-extendible auxiliary frame member for receiving padded means forming a mattress in the extended condition of said auxiliary frame and seat cushioning in the collapsed condition of said auxiliary frame.

6. An article of furniture, as defined in claim 4, which includes a resilient seat cushion platform carried by said seat support means, said platform being removable for access to said anchor means disposed along said upper peripheral area.

7. An article of furniture, as defined in claim 4, in which:

said margins of said unitary upholstery cover are coupled to said anchor means by elastic bands whereby said cover is maintained under tension.

8. An article offumiture, as defined in claim 4, in which:

said unitary upholstery cover includes a closure member disposed along one edge thereof.

9. An article of furniture comprising:

an integral frame structure defining a lower frame portion, a padded backrest and padded sidearms, said lower frame potion having an open, rectangular configuration and including fixed, transverse slats extending across the open configuration and forming a seat support and defining a seat support plane, said lower frame portion further having a lower, downwardly facing peripheral surface and an upper, inwardly facing peripheral surface, said upper peripheral surface lying below said seat support plane;

a plurality of upper anchor hooks spaced in a linear array along said upper peripheral surface, said array lying substantially in a plane parallel to said seat support plane;

a plurality of lower anchor hooks spaced in a linear array along said lower peripheral surface, said array lying substantially in a plane parallel to said seat support plane;

a resilient, removable seat cushion platform disposed upon and carried by said seat support;

a unitary upholstery cover covering said integral frame structure and having portions receiving said padded backrest and padded sidearms in close conformity thereto, said cover including an upper margin adjacent said upper anchor hooks, a lower margin adjacent said lower anchor hooks and a closure member along a rear edge common to said backrest and one of said sidearms;

a plurality of elastic bands secured to said upper and lower margin and connecting said cover to said anchor hooks and maintaining said cover taut; and 5 seat cushions carried by said seat cushion platform. 

1. An article of furniture comprising: a frame including a lower, open rectangular box portion having upper and lower peripheral areas and an upper portion, said lower portion including front, back and side members and a plurality of seat support slats extending between said front and back frame members and affixed thereto, said upper portion defining a backrest and sidearms; a resilient, removable seat cushion platform carried by said seat support slats and defining a seat support plane; anchor means disposed linearly along said upper and lower peripheral areas in spaced apart planes; unitary furniture cover means having backrest and sidearmreceiving portions and having margins adjacent said anchor means; connection means joining said margins and the anchor means; and seat cushions disposed on said seat cushion platform.
 2. An article of furniture, as defined in claim 1, in which: said anchor means comprise hooks; and said connection means comprise elastic bands coupled to said hooks to maintain said cover under tension.
 3. An article of furniture, as defined in claim 1, in which: said anchor means along said upper peripheral area are disposed below said seat support plane around the interior of said frame and face inwardly so as to conceal said upper anchor means and said anchor means along said lower peripheral area are disposed around the bottom of said frame so as to conceal said lower anchor means.
 4. An article of furniture comprising: an integral frame structure defining a lower frame portion, a backrest, sidearms and a seat support means within said lower frame portion, said lower frame portion having upper and lower peripheral areas; anchor means disposed substantially linearly along both said upper and lower peripheral areas in spaced apart planes; and a removable, unitary upholstery cover covering said integral frame structure, said cover shaped to conform closely to said structure and having an outer, lower margin coupled to said anchor means disposed along said lower peripheral area and an inner, upper margin coupled to said anchor means disposed along said upper peripheral area.
 5. An article of furniture, as defined in claim 4, in which: said seat support means includes a collapsible-extendible auxiliary frame member for receiving padded means forming a mattress in the extended condition of said auxiliary frame and seat cushioning in the collapsed condition of said auxiliary frame.
 6. An article of furniture, as defined in claim 4, which includes a resilient seat cushion platform carried by said seat support means, said platform being removable for access to said anchor means disposed along said upper peripheral area.
 7. An article of furniture, as defined in claim 4, in which: said margins of said unitary upholstery cover are coupled to said anchor means by elastic bands whereby said cover is maintained under tension.
 8. An article of furniture, as defined in claim 4, in which: said unitary upholstery cover includes a closure member disposed along one edge thereof.
 9. An article of furniture comprising: an integral frame structure defining a lower frame portion, a padded backrest and padded sidearms, said lower frame potion having an open, rectangular configuration and including fixed, transverse slats extending across the open configuration and forming a seat support and defining a seat support plane, said lower frame portion further having a lower, downwardly facing peripheral surface and an upper, inwardly facing peripheral surface, said upper peripheral surface lying below said seat support plane; a plurality of upper anchor hooks spaced in a linear array along said upper peripheral surface, said array lying substantially in a plane parallel to said seat support plane; a plurality of lower anchor hooks spaced in a linear array along said lower peripheral surface, said array lying substantially in a plane parallel to said seat support plane; a resilient, removable seat cushion platform disposed upon and carried by said seat support; a unitary upholstery cover covering said integral frame structure and having portions receiving said padded backrest and padded sidearms in close conformity thereto, said cover including an upper margin adjacent said upper anchor hooks, a lower margin adjacent said lower anchor hooks and a closure member along a rear edge common to said backrest and one of said sidearms; a plurality of elastic bands secured to said upper and lower margin and connecting said cover to said anchor hooks and maintaining said cover taut; and seat cushions carried by said seat cushion platform. 